Sporulation : Bacterial Endospores Formation

Bacterial Endospores :

Defnition :                                              Sporulation is the formation of nearly dormant forms of bacteria which save them selves from unfavorable condition and keep them selves to induce in anothet chance.

In a limited number of bacteria, spores can preserve the genetic material of the bacteria when conditions are inhospitable and lethal for the normal (vegetative) form of the bacteria.

Microorganisms sense and adapt to changes in their environment thats why when ever they sense when favored nutrients are exhausted, some bacteria may become motile to seek out nutrients, or they may produce enzymes to exploit alternative resources.

One example of an extreme survival strategy employed by certain low G+C Gram-positive bacteria is the formation of endospores.

This complex developmental process is often initiated in response to nutrient deprivation.It allows the bacterium to produce a dormant and highly resistant cell to preserve the cell's genetic material in times of extreme stress. 

Examples : Rhizopus & Mucor

These two are best example to understand where production and new mycelium of Rhizopus, Mucor.

i) They are non-motile spores produced inside the sporangia. 

ii) They are generally dispersed by wind and germinate to produce new mycelium.

Bacterial Endospore Formation generally termed as "Sporulation".

This process is seven stage dependent which denoted as S-I to S-VII.

Sporulation -

The process of formation of endospore is called 'Sporulation' or 'Sporogenesis'.

Sporulation occurs when bacterial cells face a nutrients deficient conditions.

During sporulation condition, the core of endospore becomes increasingly dehydrated.

Formation of endospore is complex process and is completes in Seven⁷ Stages referred as S-I to S-VII.

Stages & Names are Follows :

S-I : Formation of Axial Filament                The genetic material of bacterial cell is oriented/divided in the exact center plane of the bacterial cell.

S-II : Formation Of Septa                        Plasma membrane invagination grows into thr lumen of the cell and forms a septum called Forespore Septum.The formation of results in the separation of small portion of the DNA from rest of the genetic material.

S-III : Engulfment of Forespore                    The membrane of the mother cell continues to grow and completely engulf the newly formed immature spore.Thus with the engulfment, the forespore is now covered by two plasma membrane and inter membranal space.

S-IV : Formation of Cortex                      Cortex formation started between the inter membranal space of the two membranes.Large amount of calcium and dipicolinic acid is also accumulated in S-IV.

S-V : Formation of Protein Coat            Protein coat is laid down over the cortex of the newly formed spore.

S-VI : Spore Maturation                                The core becomes increasingly dehydrated the cell become metabolically inactive.

S-VII : Enzymatic Destruction                      The enzymatic destruction of the spore mother cell (Sporogenium) and released of the endospores.